The Justice Department wants to bar the public from a federal district court hearing in D.C. on Jan. 7 in the Blackwater criminal case because the proceeding may result in the disclosure of classified information, reports the Blog of Legal Times. The department’s justification for the request came in a court affidavit filed today.
According to the blog, Justice Department officials “filed a motion Dec. 3 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia so that the court can determine the use, relevance and admissibility of classified information in the prosecution of five Blackwater security guards, who are charged in the shooting deaths of 17 Iraqi civilians.” Much of the Blackwater litigation has been conducted under seal and in closed courtrooms.
David Kris, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s National Security Division, said today in an affidavit that the Jan. 7 hearing should be held in camera. Kris was acting on behalf of Holder pursuant to the Classified Information Procedures Act. Kris said his request is based on his knowledge of the evidence and based on discussions he has had with other Justice officials. (Click here for Kris’ affidavit.)
